But I said,"Should a manlikeme flee?And could one suchas I gointo the templeto savehis life?I will not goin."
Then I perceivedthat surelyGodhad not senthim, but he uttered[his] prophecyagainstme because Tobiahand Sanballathad hiredhim.
So I sentmessengersto them, saying,"I am doinga greatworkand I cannotcomedown.Whyshould the workstopwhileI leaveit and comedownto you?"
For allof them were [trying] to frightenus, thinking,"They will becomediscouragedwith the workand it will not be done."But now,[O God], strengthenmy hands.
For he will neverbe shaken;The righteouswill be rememberedforever.
His heartis upheld,he will not fear,Untilhe looks[with satisfaction] on his adversaries.
The wickedfleewhen nooneis pursuing,But the righteousare boldas a lion.
Deadfliesmake a perfumer'soilstink,so a littlefoolishnessis weightierthanwisdom[and] honor.
And He will destroythe gloryof his forestand of his fruitfulgarden,bothsouland body,And it will be as when a sickmanwastesaway.
"So you shall appointAaronand his sonsthat they may keeptheir priesthood,but the laymanwho comesnearshall be putto death."
"But I do not considermy lifeof anyaccountas dearto myself,sothat I may finishmy courseand the ministrywhichI receivedfrom the LordJesus,to testify solemnlyof the gospelof the graceof God.
ThenPaulanswered,"Whatare you doing,weepingand breakingmy heart?For I amreadynot onlyto be bound,but evento dieat Jerusalemfor the nameof the LordJesus."
Saulwas in hearty agreementwith putting him to death.And on that daya greatpersecutionbeganagainstthe churchin Jerusalem,and they were allscatteredthroughoutthe regionsof Judeaand Samaria,exceptthe apostles.
But evenifI am being poured out as a drink offeringupon the sacrificeand serviceof your faith,I rejoiceand share my joywith you all.
becausehe came closeto deathfor the workof Christ,riskinghis lifeto completewhat was deficientin your serviceto me.
By faithhe leftEgypt,not fearingthe wrathof the king;for he endured,as seeingHim who is unseen.
"For he tookhis lifein his handand struckthe Philistine,and the LORDbroughtabouta greatdeliverancefor allIsrael;you saw[it] and rejoiced.Whythen will you sinagainst innocentbloodby puttingDavidto deathwithouta cause?"
